Writing turns on a part of my brain that needs exercise. Everyone should give it a try. And if you enjoy it as much as I do, you should find a way to make it a habit. Be it journaling, writing articles, kids books, poems, scrapbooking blurbs, editorials, fiction, memoirs, limericks. It’s all good, people. In this spirit, let me share some links I use to find writing prompts. I like a deadline, even if it’s self imposed. These contests etc. help me continue to create new material, which is nice if I’m stuck in a long series of edits or revisions on a manuscript. I get to pick my head up and look around at some new scenery. Ahhh, the view is…whatever I want it to be. A site I like that filters you to free contests in the U.S. is this one: www.justacontest.com I also am a fan of Real Simple magazine. Their contest now is to write a short essay about a decision you regret. Just that topic had me spinning my creative wheels in a different direction. www.realsimple.com Writing can be therapeutic, I know because I studied Narrative Therapy while getting my Masters in Clinical Social Work. People can re write their own stories, take the reins and give it a different spin, or change the ending entirely. You can become the author of your own story, literally and figuratively. Of course, professionals would say real Narrative Therapy works best with a careful support system in place, ideally with a professional. As a writer, not a social worker, I think any type of creative energy is good, and -thoughtfully harnessed- it can be healing. What would you write about for the Real Simple contest? Another I like is short and sweet, the Writer’s Digest bimonthly contest called Your Story. They give you different starting points, loosely defined, like a picture or a sentence or an idea. This month’s is to write a 100 word sentence about a coworker overhearing a conversation at work. You could go anywhere with this!

Think about it while you drive, before you fall asleep and while you unload the dishwasher. While you exercise compose a killer opening sentence, or a ‘loose end’ finale, or a secret theme you can lace throughout with a proud smile. And then take the plunge. Wait a week, month or year. Read it again. You’ll be glad you did. Just Sayin’, ~gregorific

Pssst...each contest I mentioned is free. All they cost is an investment in creativity and courage. Can you afford it?

We are all but pebbles on the beach, floating in on the tide. Landing where fate decides; only to be pulled out again into the vast churning of destiny. Over and over.

But why not? Let's party like it's 2012 because gregorific has another short story published! Can I get a woot?

The Zodiac Review contracted my short story "Blame it on the Jeans" for their Summer 2012 Issue. Please, give it a read (for free) on The Zodiac Review website. I just read a bunch of the other stories and I was really impressed and entertained. A lot of it is flash fiction, so no biggie time commitment. I like the definition of flash fiction that says it's something that could be written on a coffee mug. It's that short, people, so go ahead and jump to the link and enjoy.

The Zodiac Review was launched to provide a hybrid territory for literary fiction and any genre that joins it. Gregorific loves scribbling outside of the lines and this is a great way to broaden the definition of literary.

If I could only tell you of the heated debates I've had with fellow writers, agents, readers, (you know who you are) about how overly sharp definitions can cut out real groundbreaking talent and also project a narrow mindedness that contradicts creative ingenuity. But I won't go there, because you want to stay awake, and I want to refrain from frothing.

Thank you for believing in gregorific! And for all of the support. You know who you are and so do I. Thanks.

~gregorific

Here's a nice little quote for you:

“I ask not for any crownBut that which all may win;Nor try to conquer any worldExcept the one within.” ― Louisa May Alcott

High-waisted pants should be outlawed with a fine of an atomic wedgie. #YesIdid Baby, I can feel your halo. Oh no you didn’t! My halo is private. #ToomuchBeyonce We all know she meant boobylicious. #ToomuchBeyonce Is unrequited love best unrequited? #RomanceNovelJunkie You make an educated point and while I don’t agree, I respect you for expressing yourself so honestly. #CommentNeverMadeTime of day when the tantrum is bigger than my willpower to be a good mom. #WineOClock I open the microwave and see the peas/tea/burrito I made yesterday…ohhhh, yeah! #EverHappenedTo You? I would love a TV show where you meet a person and then get to see their junk drawers… or contents of their closets. #SecretsLikeToBeFound Would like to see a Baby Jabba the Hut figurine made. #EveryoneStartsCute Heads up- that’s not really bath salt. #NoWonderItStung The only thing worse than paying for hotel internet access is the virus and identity theft that comes with free WiFi. #BonusPackageNoThanks Are you Okay? #IfYouHaveToAsk…NO

Horrible news! I think I may be a robot! All these years… The fuzzy, blurry codes given to me to prove I’m not a robot are working to prove just that! I cannot read those AT ALL. I try several versions and it looks like a wavy line- that’s it. And when I press the auditory version it sounds like “Be boo bop be boop.” In the words of my eight year old crew member: Good gracious! There have been five or six of these this week that I have not been able to correctly reproduce in order to post a comment on a blog, sign into my bank account, join a group, or see someone’s pictures! This is a cold and abrupt way to discover you are a manufactured species. I guess it’s fitting but then why am I so shocked and outraged! Give me a code for that one!

And suppose it's right and gregorific is a robot. Why the discrimination people? Don't robot's deserve love too? Why can't they make comments on blogs or see their bank accounts online?

These CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Turing Test To Tell Computers and Humans Apart) screenings seem to be outdated in several ways. First of all, I am sure a computer generated test could be cracked by another computer/robot and therefore defeats it's purpose. Computers have surpassed our ability to make intelligent tests to differentiate ourselves from them. They laugh at our CAPTCHA tests as they produce and filter us through them.

Second, I do not think this type of screening is accessible to those with a variety of disabilities. Not just being a robot. People with dyslexia and vision problems have trouble with CAPTCHA. And the disability feature, a wheelchair icon (outdated icon, people) is auditory which further complicates the issue for many with hearing problems or computers without coordinating features. Okay, I will get off my soap robox.

But seriously people, who programmed me and what were they thinking? *sign*ing*off* (said with robotic intonation) ~*gregor*i*fic* Please send your sympathies to those around me who will be hearing nothing but robotic from me all day- at least. Pssst…How many of you are robots, too?

Bada Bing! Bethany Beach, DE was our destination and you guessed it, we had a gregorific time.

And…………The winner is ________________________ (fill in blank with your very own name.) Your prize is your favorite beverage as soon as you can rush and get it. Just tell the store to bill gregorific. In the rare event they do not know me, fell free to share my website address. Cheers! Enjoy!~gregorific